Car-truck



(No Model.) I 2 Sheds-Sheet 1. 1:". L. LAMKEY.

Q GAR TRUGK. No. 554,277. Patented Feb. 11, 1896.

@mM/y 2 262704 (No Model.) a 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' FVL. LAMKEY.

' OAR-TRUCK. No. 554,277. Patented Feb. 11, 1896.

'AN DREW B GRAHAM. PHOTD-UHQWASHINGTON. RC

lJNrrnn STATES PATENT FFICE.

FRANK L. LAMKEY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO PETERII. MURPHY, OF EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS.

CAR-TRUCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatenhNo. 554,277, dated February 11, 1896. Application filed September 16, 1895. Serial No. 562,647. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK L. LAMKEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Oar-Trucks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved truck. the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, one of the pedestals being shown in section to more clearly show the interior construction. Fig. 4: is a bottom plan view of the truckframe. Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the frame and side bearings, taken on line 5 5, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the frame and side bearings, taken on line 6 6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a sectional View through the center bar and center bearing, taken on line 7 7, Fig. 1. Fig. Sis a detail view of the journal-box for the truck-axle and a movable pedestal-linin This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in cartrucks; and it consists, generally stated, in making a truck-frame and its associate parts of one piece-that is, the side bars, pedestals, spring-seats, center bar, lugs for the brake-hangers, lugs for the brake, safety chains, center bearings, and side bearin gs are all formed in one piece, preferably by acasting, the material used being steel.

Another feature of the invention consists in the construction of the side bearings,whereby a roller-bearing is afforded which is selfcentering, the object being to provide a free or floating bearing, which will seek different points of contact with its bearing-seat and body-bolster, which normally rests thereupon.

The invention further consists in the con struction and arrangement of a pedestal-lining which may be removed when worn and another substituted with but little trouble; and, finally, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts, all as will hereinafter be described and afterward pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, A indicates the side bars Fig. 2 is an end elevational view ofof the truck-frame, which are substantially of the same cross-section throughout their lengthz'. 6., being of an inverted-U form, except at their ends, where they are provided with strengthening flanges a. The lower edges of these side bars have formed thereon internally-projecting flanges b, which greatly strengthen said bars without materially adding to the weight of the truck-frame. At the ends of these side bars are formed the pedestals to receive the journal-boxes of the truck-axles, which pedestals permit the vertical movement of said boxes. These pedestals are formed by vertical webs or partitionwalls 0 and d, which are strengthened by the webs a and e, respectively, said webs c and (Z extending somewhat below the line of the side bars, the space between the webs below the line of the side bars proper being cut away 70 nearly, but not quite, to the webs c and d to permit the play of the j ournal-boxes therein. In this manner lips f project inwardly from each edge of the webs c and d, which lips e11- gage and hold in position the pedestal-lining B.

Pedestal-linings B are substantially U- shaped, and are formed with grooves or recesses 9 along their vertical walls to receive the lips f before referred to. The inner faces of this lining are formed with grooves or recesses h, which receive projections i on the journal-boxes B, by which means endwise movement of said boxes is prevented. In addition to the recesses h in the lining and the projection '6 on the journal-bearing I prefer to form projections j 011 the journal-boxes, which form grooves 76 which receive the tongue Z on the lining. In mounting the journalboxes in the truck-frame, the journal-box is placed in the pedestal and the lining B shoved up from beneath, its grooves and projections engaging the proper part of the truck-frame and journal box, as before described. To hold the lining in place, I insert a bolt B in the lower end of webs c and cl, upon which bolt the lining rests.

Any suitable means may be employed to hold the bolt in position, a cotter-pin being shown in the drawings.

1) is a spring which is arranged above the journal -boXes, said spring finding a seat against the top of the inverted-U-shaped side bars, the side walls of which and the webs c and (Z forming a housing which almost incloses said spring, space only being left for the vertical play of the journal-boxes beneath the side bars. To retain the spring ina central position over the journal-boxes, I form in the top of the side bars a lug m, which is embraced by the upper end of the frame.

E indicates the center bar of the truck, which is of substantially the same cross-section throughout its length, which center bar is provided with a suitable center bearing at its center. This bar is of an inverted-U form and is provided with inwardly-projecting flanges 12 on its lower edge, which assist in strengthening the same.

F and F indicate lugs or cars which are cast on the center bar, whose function is to afford means of attachment for the brakehangers and for the safety-chains of the brake mechanism, respectively.

G indicates the side bearings, which are composed of apocket 0 formed near the ends of the center bar, said pocket being preferably arranged on a curved line described from the center bearing. In the bottoms of these pockets are arranged wear seats or blocks 17, whose upper faces are dished out or formed with inclined faces which converge toward the center, making the middle of the block its lowest point. Upon this block is a roller or ball g, which is held in place by the confining walls 0 of the pocket. By this construction, when the truck swings under the car-body, the balls in the.side bearings will accommodate such movement with the least possible friction, and when the body of the car sways from side to side, as it generally does, the balls, which are released and which were at the ends of the pocket, roll to the middle, thus presenting diiferent surfaces for contact with the wear-plate p and the bodybolster of the car, which tends to wear the ball and its contacting-surfaces evenly.

The advantages of a truck made as above described are many, as the number of parts necessary to constitute a complete truck are the fewest that are possible consistent with strength and utility. By making the truckframe all of one piece there are no parts to work loose, and therefore the truck requires but little attention.

I am aware that many minor changes in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of my device can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat ent of the United States, is

1. A car-truck frame, consisting of side bars having pedestals and spring-seats, and a center bar having a centerbearing, side bearings and lugs or cars for the attachment of the brake-hangers and brake safety-chains, all made in one piece, substantially as described.

2. A car-truck frame, consisting of side bars of inverted-U form, having pedestals at or near their ends formed by the webs c and (Z extending across and bracing the vertical walls of the side bars, the lower ends of webs c and (Z being strengthened by webs (t and e, and a spring-seat in the top of the side bar, the walls of the side bar and the webs c and (Z forming a housing for the spring which provents the journal-box in the pedestal from compressing the spring less than the depth of the side bar; substantially as described.

3. A car-truck consisting of side bars of inverted-U form having pedestals at or near their ends formed by webs (1 and (Z extending across and bracing the vertical walls of the side bars, the lower ends of webs c and (Z being strengthened by webs a, and e which project inwardly beyond the webs c and (Z forming guide-lips for the pedestal-linings, pedestal-linings in said pedestals, and a center bar; substantially as described.

4. In a car-truck frame, the combination with the center bar, of side bars of inverted- U form having pedestals at or near their ends formed by webs c and (Z extending across and bracing the vertical walls of the side bars, the lower ends of said webs being strengthcned by webs CZ and c which project inwardly beyond the webs c and (Z forming lips for the pedestal-lining,the pedestal-linin gs which are adapted to be received and guided in their vertical movement by said lips, and a springseat in the top of the side bar, the walls of the side bar and the webs c and (Z forming a housing for the same which prevents the 3' ournal-box in the pedestal from compressing the spring less than the depth of the side bar; substantially as described.

5. The combination with a pedestal formed with lips, of a U -shaped pedestal-lining formed with grooves to engage said lips, a journal-boX having recesses and projections to engage the pedestal-lining, and a belt which passes through the pedestal and pedestal-lining, to hold the latter in position, substantially as described.

6. The combination with the pedestal having internal vertical lips, of a pedestal-lining of U shape having grooves to engage said lips, said pedestal-lining having recesses in its inner faces which are vertically disposed, and a journal-box having vertical ribs to engage the recesses in the pedestal-lining, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 9th day of September, 1895.

FRANK L. LAMKEY.

\Vitnesses:

F. R. CORNWALL, HUGH K. WAGNER. 

